The It’s Showtime studio has practically returned to its former vibrance and energy, as it allowed live audiences for the first time in two years. The whole local TV industry came to a halt in March 2020 when the government declared the implementation of the community quarantine, which forced TV stations to prohibit live studio audiences.

Yesterday, April 2, ABS-CBN made a bold move when it allowed audiences, albeit in limited numbers to witness the live airing of the show inside the studio. It’s a first for any noontime show, in the country. It notably coincided with Vice Ganda’s birthday celebration on the show, with his league of fans called ‘Little Ponies’, making up the biggest chunk of the live studio audience.

A special edition of the popular segment, Showtime SexyBabes, was held, with three pairs of today’s funniest stand-up comedians as contestants. Tandems Chad Kinis and Iyah Mina, MC and Lassy, and Negi and Petite. The pairs tried to outdo each other with wit, humor, and confidence. In the end, Negi and Petite were declared winners of the special pageant, for which action stars, Jeric Raval, Joko Diaz, and Jay Manalo, served as judges. Moira de la Torre and Awra Briguela were also surprised with their respective special numbers.

The star-studded birthday celebration of the host comedian was witnessed and attended by some of the country’s biggest stars. The Diamond Star, Maricel Soriano, lent her incredible acting chops to an acting challenge given to comedians MC and Lassy as contestants of the show’s Showtime SexyBeks (Tag-Init ng Ulo Edition) segment. One of the celebration’s highlights is when most in-demand OPM artists, Adie, Arthur Nerry, Skusta Clee, and NOBITA, serenaded Vice Ganda, marking the first time these artists gathered together on one stage.

Big time artists including Angel Locsin, Regine Velasquez, Olivia M. Lamasan, and VIC del Rosario, greeted the box office star, through a VTR. To top the celebration, Vice Ganda performed his new single, Look At Me Now, for the first time. The emotional ballad is composed by his fellow host and Itchyworms frontman, Jugs Jugueta.

On twitter, the hashtag #ShowtimeVGForYou peaked no.1 on Philippine trends. Most of the tweets contain congratulatory messages and good wishes from fans. Many Kapamilyas also expressed their excitement for seeing live audiences fill the Showtime studio once again, after two years.

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